Media & Public Relations

Binghamton University VP for External Affairs to step down from post

2005-09-19

Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur has accepted, with regret, Thomas F. Kelly’s request to leave his position as vice president for external affairs and return to the faculty. Kelly has agreed to remain as vice president until a new appointment is made.

“Tom has provided outstanding leadership during his tenure here at Binghamton, both as dean of the School of Management and vice president for external affairs,” DeFleur said. “I have relied on his talent, commitment and understanding of the University and community throughout his tenure. I deeply appreciate all he has done for the University and I will personally miss working with him.”

Kelly came to Binghamton as associate dean of the School of Management in 1984. He became acting dean in 1985 and was appointed dean in 1986. The SOM attained initial accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) during his tenure in the position.

Since his appointment as vice president for external affairs in 1991, he has provided leadership for the University’s first comprehensive gifts campaign -- which exceeded its goal by more than 20 percent – and has helped the University significantly increase private fundraising and its endowment, which has grown from $8 million to $52 million since 1991.

Kelly, who was recognized for his outstanding leadership and accomplishments as Professional of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in 2003, has served the University at the dean level or higher longer than anyone else.
“I feel privileged to have served Binghamton in higher-level administrative positions for the past two decades, and to have been part of its exceptional development,” Kelly said. “I’d like to spend the remaining years of my career where it began, in the classroom with students.”

DeFleur plans a broad search for highly qualified candidates and expects to appoint a search committee within the next few weeks.